BHP Billiton PLC (NYSE:BBL) – Equities researchers at Jefferies Group raised their FY2018 EPS estimates for BHP Billiton in a research note issued to investors on Monday. Jefferies Group analyst C. Lafemina now expects that the mining company will earn $2.82 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $2.81. Jefferies Group has a “Hold” rating and a $38.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Group also issued estimates for BHP Billiton’s FY2019 earnings at $2.74 EPS and FY2020 earnings at $3.02 EPS.

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Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on BBL. ValuEngine lowered shares of BHP Billiton from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 24th. BidaskClub raised shares of BHP Billiton from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 26th. Finally, Zacks Investment Research raised shares of BHP Billiton from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $42.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. The company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $40.00.

BHP Billiton (BBL) traded down $0.10 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $35.81. 842,420 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,628,581. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.85. BHP Billiton has a twelve month low of $28.73 and a twelve month high of $39.12.

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Group One Trading L.P. boosted its stake in shares of BHP Billiton by 668.8% during the 3rd quarter. Group One Trading L.P. now owns 3,075 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 2,675 shares in the last quarter. Knowledge Leaders Capital LLC lifted its stake in BHP Billiton by 59.3% in the 3rd quarter. Knowledge Leaders Capital LLC now owns 3,939 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $140,000 after buying an additional 1,467 shares in the last quarter. Acrospire Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in BHP Billiton by 113.6% in the 2nd quarter. Acrospire Investment Management LLC now owns 4,700 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 2,500 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services Inc purchased a new position in BHP Billiton in the 3rd quarter valued at about $217,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in BHP Billiton by 14.0% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 7,719 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $237,000 after buying an additional 947 shares in the last quarter. 4.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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About BHP Billiton

BHP Billiton Plc is a global resources company. The Company is a producer of various commodities, including iron ore, metallurgical coal, copper and uranium. Its segments include Petroleum, Copper, Iron Ore and Coal. The Petroleum segment is engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas.